Chapter 2

Chapter 2 — The Wedding

Elena never thought that she would get married without love.

But she also never thought that she would get married to Adrian Black.

Nevertheless, she was here.

In front of a mirror, in a white wedding dress not chosen by her.

The dress was beautiful, elegant, expensive...

But Elena couldn't enjoy looking at it.

She was watching her image in the mirror.

Tomorrow morning, she would have been Elena Carter.

Tonight, she would become Elena Black.

A knock on the door.

"Miss Carter?"

Elena turned around.

The woman came into the room.

"Mr. Black is waiting downstairs."

Elena took a deep breath.

"Tell him I'll be there in five minutes."

The woman nodded and left the room.

Elena looked at herself one more time in the mirror.

"It's only one year," she whispered.

One year, and she would be free.

Elena could live with one year of marriage.

After that, she would get the money.

Elena would save her father's company, pay for his treatment, and be rid of Adrian Black for good.

She hoped that, at least, this would be the case.

Downstairs, in the large windows of the mansion, Adrian was watching the night.

He was dressed in a perfect black suit.

His facial expression was emotionless.

But in his mind, he was thinking of something else entirely.

Today was not only his wedding day.

Today was also the day of his revenge.

He looked at the old photograph in his hand.

The smiling face of his father, the gentle eyes of his mother, and the young child between them.

Adrian.

He was only ten years old when his world was shattered.

His father's business went bankrupt, his mother died of an illness, and everyone in town believed the Black family was to blame.

Adrian had carried this pain in his heart for eighteen long years.

Now, he finally had the daughter of hisin his hands.

A voice broke his trail of thought.

"Adrian."

Adrian turned around.

Elena was at the top of the stairs.

For the first time, Adrian saw a different expression on her face.

She was beautiful, with long hair cascading down her back and a white wedding dress that made her look too pure.

It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

...Except for his revenge.

For a moment, Adrian forgot why he brought her here.

But then, he remembered.

He remembered that Elena was only a part of his plan for revenge.

Elena was getting closer.

"You're staring," Elena said.

Adrian turned his gaze away.

"I was waiting,"

"For me?"

"For my wife,"

Elena frowned.

"Don't get used to calling me that."

A small smile played on Adrian's lips.

"You're going to get used to it."

Before Elena could say anything else, the wedding ceremony began.

Everything went by quickly.

The exchanging of vows, the rings, the pictures...

Then, the moment everyone was waiting for.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife,"

Elena looked into Adrian's eyes.

They were fixed on her.

The priest smiled.

"You may kiss the bride,"

Elena's eyes widened in shock.

"What?"

Adrian leaned closer to her.

She leaned in and whispered, "We never agreed to this,"

He whispered, "We have to act like a real married couple,"

"But-"

Adrian's hand came around her waist, and his lips met hers.

It was only a brief moment.

But Elena's heart pounded in her chest as if she had run a mile.

When Adrian pulled away, Elena looked down in embarrassment.

Adrian looked at the light pink color rising on her cheeks.

Something strange was happening inside of him.

Adrian immediately shook it off.

Elena was not beautiful enough to make him fall in love.

When the ceremony ended, the guests were congratulating them.

Elena smiled and said 'thank you,' when she saw a familiar face at the back of the room.

Actually, it wasn't a familiar face.

It was an elderly woman who looked at Elena with nothing but contempt.

Elena narrowed her eyes.

She did not recognize her.

"Who is she?" Elena asked Adrian.

He followed her line of sight.

The moment he laid eyes on the woman, his facial expression changed.

"Stay away from her,"

"Why?"

"I said stay away from her,"

Before Elena could ask another question, the woman turned around and left.

Elena looked back at Adrian.

"You know her,"

"No,"

"You are lying,"

Suddenly, Adrian's eyes darkened.

"This marriage is based on a contract, Elena,"

Elena felt her heart break at his words.

"I don't think so,"

She turned around to leave.

Adrian watched her go and silently clenched his fists.

He did not expect her to start asking questions this soon.

Adrian Black needed to be careful.

Very careful.

That night, Elena entered the bedroom.

She was surprised to see only one bed.

Elena turned around in confusion.

"Where am I supposed to sleep?"

Adrian passed her.

"On the bed,"

"And you?"

"On the same bed,"

"No,"

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean 'no'?"

"I'll sleep on the sofa,"

Adrian looked at the sofa.

Then, he looked back at Elena.

"Fine,"

Elena smiled in relief.

But right when she was about to walk to the sofa, Adrian said,

"Just remember, Mrs. Black,"

Elena turned around.

"This is my house,"

He stepped closer to her.

"And there are some rules,"

Elena crossed her arms over her chest.

"What rules?"

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"Rule number one- never enter my private office,"

"Fine,“Rule number two—never ask questions about my past.”

Elena frowned.

"Rule number three,"

Elena looked into his eyes.

"Never fall in love with me,"

Elena's heart skipped a beat.

She gave him a cold smile.

“Don't worry, Mr. Black.”

She grabbed a pillow and said, "I hate you too much to ever love you,"

As she turned around to walk to the sofa, Adrian's facial expression had changed.

There was something in his eyes that Elena didn't know about.

In the private office that Elena was not allowed to enter, there was a folder with all the information concerning the Carters.

And tomorrow morning, someone would leave a picture outside that door.

A picture that would make Elena do research on her father.

Because tomorrow morning, someone would leave a picture outside that door.

Was her father really guilty?

Would Adrian Black have the wrong woman for his revenge?